Executive Women in Agriculture

Top Producer Women in Agriculture Award

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 21:17:15 GMT

The Top Producer Women in Agriculture Award (formerly the Executive Women in Agriculture Trailblazer Award) will be given to a female producer who is a shining example for her peers. The winner will be an advocate for agriculture and represent an innovative farming or ranching operation.

Entrants are judged on agricultural advocacy (50%), farm business innovation (30%) and industry or community leadership (20%).

To apply, complete the entry form below and attach your resume and two letters of reference from an industry peer, banker or agribusiness leader. Winners agree to be recognized in articles published in Top Producer magazine and online. Any financial information remains confidential unless entrants agree to its release.

The winner’s prizes include:

A trip for two including hotel accommodations and a flat travel reimbursement stipend to attend the 2027 Top Producer Summit (Feb.15-17, 2027 in Nashville, TN)
Additional prizes provided by award sponsor(s)

Questions? Contact Margy Eckelkamp at meckelkamp@farmjournal.com.

Click here to download the 2027 application

Read about the 2026 winner, Helle Ruddenklau, Amity, Ore.

Read about the 2025 winner, Kimberly Ratcliff, Oakwood, Texas

Read about the 2024 winner, Pam Johnson, Floyd, Iowa

Read about the 2023 winner, Marcia Ruff, Circleville, Ohio

Read about the 2022 winner, Susan Weaver Ford, Kenly, N.C.

Read about the 2021 winner, Jennie Schmidt, Sudlersville, Md.

Read about the 2020 winners, Macey Wessels and Shelly Boshart Davis, Tangent, Ore.

Read about the 2019 winner, April Hemmes of Hampton, Iowa

4 Reasons You Should Have a Farm Brand

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 12:49:57 GMT

Apple…Pepsi…Oscar Meyer… All of these companies have distinct brands, logos and images that pop into your head immediately. Does your farm’s name have the same impact?

“You should think of your brand as reputational capital,” says Bret Oelke, a farm business consultant with Innovus Agra LLC. He says a good farm or ranch brand will:

Deliver your message clearly
Confirm your credibility
Motivate customers and prospects
Concrete customer loyalty

“Brand management should be part of your overall business plan,” Oelke says.

He suggests identifying your farm’s mission, vision, business philosophy and goals. To do so, write down three words that describe you as a person, as well as three words that describe your business. These words can lead you to a brand or slogan that will explain what makes your operation unique and why others should do business with you.

Some good examples of farm brands Oelke has seen include:

Steward of your land for generations
A growing business
Faith, family, faming

Once you have a farm brand, consider drawing up a farm logo. Then, put your brand on your farm’s clothing, business cards, caps and signage. “These steps can create awareness of your business,” Oelke says.

Many farms have team members with marketing or communication skills, Oelke says. Brand management can become part of their job responsibility.

Oelke spoke at the 2014 Executive Women in Agriculture conference, which was hosted by Top Producer.

Nominate the Nation's Best Female Farmers

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 15:48:48 GMT

The 2023 Executive Women in Agriculture Trailblazer Award will be given to a female producer who is a shining example for her peers. The winner will be an advocate for agriculture and represent an innovative farming or ranching operation.

Entrants are judged on agricultural advocacy (50%), farm business innovation (30%) and industry or community leadership (20%).

Learn more about the EWA Trailblazer Award Application .

To apply, complete the entry form below and attach your resume and two letters of reference from an industry peer, banker or agribusiness leader. Winners agree to be recognized in articles published in Top Producer magazine and online. Any financial information remains confidential unless entrants agree to its release.

The deadline to enter is Sept. 30, 2022.

PRIZES INCLUDE:

A trip for two to attend the Top Producer Summit in Nashville, Tenn. (Jan. 23-25)
Other prizes provided by award sponsors

Fill out the EWA Trailblazer Award Application.

Read about the 2021 winner, Jennie Schmidt of Sudlersville, Md.

Read about the 2020 winners, Shelly Boshart Davis and Macey Wessels of Tangent, Ore.

Read about the 2019 winner, April Hemmes of Hampton, Iowa

Questions? Contact Sara Schafer at 660-537-0587 or sschafer@farmjournal.com.

Oregon Producers Honored with EWA Trailblazer Award

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 02:04:31 GMT

Shelly Boshart Davis and Macey Wessels, owners and operators of a custom farming and trucking business in Oregon, were recognized as the Executive Women in Agriculture Trailblazer Award winners at Top Producer’s 2020 Executive Women in Agriculture conference in Chicago.

Sponsored by Corteva , the Executive Women in Agriculture Trailblazer Award is awarded to female producers who are a shining example for her peers. The winner is an advocate for agriculture and represents an innovative farming operation. Entrants were judged on agricultural advocacy, farm business innovation and industry or community leadership. Applications are received from producers across the country and judged by a panel of industry experts.

Agriculture is a way of life for the lifetime friends turned business partners. In 2018, Davis and Wessels purchased Boshart Trucking and a custom farming operation from Boshart’s parents, Stan and Lori Boshart.

Today, the pair work with 40 grass seed growers, custom baling 20,000 acres in more than 400 fields. The stored and pressed grass is primarily exported to Japan and Korea. the trucking side of their business, they run 30 semis that haul everything from grass straw to fertilizer to blueberries across the Pacific Northwest.

“Shelly and Macey capitalize on their personal strengths to divide business responsibilities for success,” says Sara Schafer, Editor of Top Producer magazine. “The friends are true role models for other women in agriculture.”

With deep roots in Oregon agriculture, the take an active role in inspiring and training future generations. Boshart handles international sales and dispatches crews during harvest. Wessels manages quality control and oversees a company truck stop.

These women are hands-on leaders with their 35 employees. Shelly handles international sales and dispatches crews during harvest, and Macey ensures quality control and oversees a company truck stop. In addition, the Boshart team trains and employs 20 to 30 local teenagers every year.

“They step forward, not for personal gain, but because they support a bright future for Oregon agriculture,” says Jenny Dressler with the Public Affairs Counsel, of the two.

Not only are Shelly and Macey role models for other women in agriculture, they are inspiring and training future generations. Shelly and her husband, Geoff, have three daughters and Macey has a daughter. They are proud to show their daughters they’ll be able to be whatever they want to be in life, with hard work.

Their company motto is: “We are a family business that values hard work, relationships and community involvement.”

Boshart and her husband, Geoff, have three daughters and Wessels has a daughter.

As part of the award and for demonstrating excellence in farming, Boshart and Wessels received trips to attend the Executive Women in Agriculture Conference, leadership, business or succession planning consulting sessions with Rena Striegel, Transition Point Business Advisors and a drone from the award sponsor, Corteva.

Read about the 2019 winner, April Hemmes of Hampton, Iowa

Learn more about Top Producer Summit at www.TPSummit.com . Sponsors include:

Platinum: Syngenta, Case IH, Bayer, Channel, Rabo AgriFinance and Fendt

Gold: Valent and Becks Hybrids

Silver: Corteva, BASF, AgXplore, Pioneer, Pivot Bio and Top Third Ag Marketing

Bronze: Farmers Mutual Hail, KCOE ISOM, Claas, Clifton Larson Allen, Conservis, Granular, Lincoln Financial and Ag Spectrum

Ohio Farmer Takes to Heart Business Innovation and Grassroots Leadership

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 17:52:10 GMT

Each year, Top Producer recognizes a female producer who is shining examples for her peers, as well as advocate for agriculture who represents an innovative farming operation. Congratulations to Marcia Ruff, the 2023 recipient of the Executive Women in Agriculture Trailblazer Award. She will be recognized at a ceremony held Feb. 24 during Top Producer Summit in Nashville.

Marcia Ruff considers herself blessed to live and work in agriculture. From an early age, she knew she would farm.

Today, she runs Ruff Farms near Circleville, Ohio, with her husband Mark and three children. The operation includes nearly 4,000 corn, soybean and wheat acres; beef cattle; and various ag businesses.

The Ruff family built a grain handling and container loading facility in partnership with Farmers Business Network. For the second year, they’re under contract to deliver soybeans to CHS for a premium.

“The most recent containers we’ve loaded and the ones we will be loading from here on out this season will likely go to Malaysia,” Ruff says. “Those are food-grade going into the human consumption market.”

Speaking of business innovation, the family also does lawn seeding, installs drain tile and has a 50-acre ear corn business that started as a FFA project for eldest son Matt during the COVID-19 lockdown.

“During the pandemic, when everything shut down, people must have been home watching squirrels and sales went through the roof. Instead of 15 boxes a day he was selling 150 boxes a day,” Ruff says.

Today it’s a full-time enterprise, managed by younger brother Mitchell. Sales are primarily through Amazon, with customers across the U.S.

Ruff plays an integral role in every aspect of the operation.

“I drill beans. I drill wheat in the middle of the night. I’m the shuttle driver for everybody moving pieces. I deliver the meals to the field,” Ruff says.

Heart of a Teacher

In addition to farming, Ruff has another passion: Teaching. She’s been a 4-H adviser for 25 years and a teacher for 27 years – both roles that allow her to educate and advocate for agriculture and food production.

“When I’m teaching the kids letters and we get to letter H, for example, I say H is for hen. That’s a girl chicken that lays the eggs,” Ruff explains. “I love when the kids repeat that information back to me later.”

As a female producer, Ruff diligently works to address stereotypes and show that women can be farmers too. Her message for other females is not to trivialize their role in the operation.

“You don’t have to be the one who’s driving the combine,” she says. “There’s so many working roles on a farm.

That attitude and spirit is why Ruff is this year’s Executive Women in Agriculture Trailblazer Award winner.

Get to know the other 2023 Top Producer award winners:

Trey Wasserburger, Tomorrow’s Top Producer Horizon Award

Silent Shade Planting Company, Top Producer of the Year

Engel Family Farms, Top Producer of the Year finalist

MoDak Dairy, Top Producer of the Year finalist

Iowa Farmer Blazes Trails in Field and Out

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:44:12 GMT

“If she wants to farm, then we will make it work.” Those few words spoken in 1985 by Bert Hemmes to his granddaughter, April Hemmes, framed a pivotal moment for an ambitious young lady and still echo across a century-old Iowa farm.

Like other young farmers who started in the 1980s, Hemmes faced tremendous challenges. She joined her grandpa and dad on the operation in Hampton, Iowa, armed with an animal science degree, three years of off-farm experience and no assets. But what she lacked in equity, she more than compensated with energy.

“I was the first girl to go through all four years of FFA at my high school,” Hemmes says. “I always knew I wanted to be on the farm.”

Hemmes has been blazing her own trail ever since. From starting a farrow-to-finish hog operation to doubling her corn yields to traveling internationally on behalf of American farmers, Hemmes is a sharp businesswoman and true advocate for agriculture. As a result, she was awarded the Executive Women in Agriculture Trailblazer Award from Top Producer.

Hogs And Headaches. Hemmes knew when she returned to the farm, she needed to bring value. She renovated an old building into a farrowing house and eventually expanded to 100 sows and a farrow-to-finish operation. She also added a 60-head cow-calf herd, trading labor with her dad and grandpa for feed.

The hog enterprise was going well until disease hit her sow herd and killed almost all the baby pigs. “I worked with veterinarians to find out how to keep the herd healthy and got my sow herd back to production,” Hemmes remembers. “But losing a pig crop was devastating to my income.”

So, Hemmes went looking for part-time work. Her Iowa State University degree opened the door for a job with a researcher, who just wanted someone November through March. “I helped to develop tests for cold germination in corn,” she says. “Oh, and I should mention, I went through all of that while pregnant with my first child.”

Hemmes slowly started taking more management responsibilities on the farm. She could see the payback of upgrading machinery and installing new technology. “I had to prove to my dad and grandpa that the changes I wanted to make were good ones,” she says. “I continually had to prove myself, not only to them, but to everyone who thought I was ‘just helping my dad.’ What I found out right away was I had to be better. I was going to be watched and scrutinized far more than any other farmer out there.”

Hemmes took over the operation in 1993, transitioning her dad and grandpa to come-as-they-liked tractor drivers. Her grandpa lived to be 101. “He drove the combine at a 100 and planted beans at 100,” Hemmes recalls. “I can only hope for such a great life.”

“I have chosen not to chase yield, but to chase profit.”

Full Speed Ahead. Today, Hemmes’ operation includes 1,000 acres of corn, soybeans, hay and pasture. She exited the livestock business to focus on crop production. Hemmes and her husband, Tom Kazmerzak, own all their ground, which has been owned by the family for four generations.

“I’m content with my farm’s size,” she says. “I decided I wasn’t going to chase ground. I like being a size where I can do most everything myself or with my part-time help.”

Since Hemmes doesn’t plan to add acres, she carefully weighs return on investment for machinery, technology and inputs. “I have to get better at every acre I have by managing it better,” she says. “I have chosen not to chase yield, but to chase profit.”

Hemmes’ biggest goal is to use technology to become more productive. “I’m not a big farmer, so I can’t afford some of the technology,” she explains. “I call myself a dumpster diver. I get the used machinery, so I can still afford the technology.”

For the past two years, Hemmes has been one of the 22 members of John Deere’s lead user group. “Most of our software developers did not grow up on a farm,” says Cody Dicken, digital solutions product manager for John Deere. “So, we maintain contact with a panel of customers to fill the gap.”

Hemmes challenges the John Deere team to think about the real-life challenges on the farm, such as logistics. “Around here we say her name all time like, ‘April would want it to work that way.’ or ‘What would April use this for?’” Dicken says.

Markets Maven. Hemmes is constantly trying to improve her grain marketing skills. “When I came home to the farm, I would go to marketing meetings and my dad and grandpa would be so mad I took time off from the farm to go to a stupid meeting,” she says. “I looked at them and said, ‘I don’t think you understand; I’m making you more money by doing this than putting a tire on a trailer here at home.’”

Eight years ago, Hemmes approached Kelvin Leibold with Iowa State University Extension, about starting a grain marketing group. “I was selfish and needed to focus on marketing,” she recalls. “I didn’t care if it was men or women, but the men always wanted to meet in the morning, and I had to get kids ready for school.”

Hemmes and Leibold pooled their contacts and formed a women’s grain marketing group. A group of 15 to 20 women meet each month, from November to April. During their three-hour meetings, they host speakers and discuss USDA reports, marketing contracts and strategies.

“Sometimes we’ll break up into groups and give each so many bushels, and they make a marketing plan,” Hemmes says. “Then we pull a different scenario out of hat because, that’s farming. We can see which tools work when.”

The group has grown into a tight-knit family, with some of the members driving up to 90 minutes to attend. By dedicating time and growing their marketing knowledge, Hemmes says, some of the members have increased their farming incomes by $10,000 to $30,000.

The group’s goals are to be educational and hold each other accountable. Hemmes’ marketing plan is centered on price and time goals. “My gut instinct also works for me more than often,” she says.

Hemmes’ grain marketing group is just one example of how she tackles challenges, says Mark Noll, president of Green Belt Bank and Trust, which has been Hemmes’ lending partner for 20 years. It also shows her dedication to helping others.

“Recently a neighboring farmer fell ill with an extended hospital stay during harvest,” Noll recalls. “She was one of the first to graciously volunteer during a busy time and helped to get the crop out.”

“You can be a born leader, but it is also a skill set that you need to develop.”

Inspire And Empower. Hemmes has a personal mission to empower other female farmers—both in the U.S. and across the globe. Whether speaking with a waitress, student or a farmer in a third-world country, Hemmes proudly explains how she sustainably raises her crops.

“I was in Uganda working on a Farmer-to-Farmer project,” Hemmes says. “I’ll never forget the look of sheer amazement on the women’s faces when the interpreter told my story. More than one of them hugged me and said, ‘Someday I want to farm just like you!’”

Leadership in county, state and national roles has been a cornerstone of Hemmes’ life for decades.

“I started leadership roles on the state level early on, and then once I started shuttling kids around, I pulled back and only held county roles,” she says. “Then, after they could drive, I ramped back up.”

Not only does Hemmes donate her time to important causes, but she also encourages others, says Pam Johnson, a long-time friend and farmer from Floyd, Iowa.

“She shows up at a meeting with a carload of young people,” Johnson explains. “She’s very smart, but also a lot of fun to be around.”

Hemmes knows she has a calling both in and out of the field.

“I could have a full-time job and do what I do on the farm,” Hemmes says. “But I couldn’t do the leadership. You can be a born leader, but it’s also a skill set you need to develop. I am very fortunate to be doing what I love to do—that is rare for a man or a woman. I never think of myself as a female farmer, just a farmer. I love watching people’s faces when I say, ‘I farm, and my husband works in town.’”

For the past two years, Hemmes has been one of the 22 members of John Deere’s lead user group.

(Pat Lichty, Top Producer)

A Snapshot of Hemmes Farms

Operation: April Hemmes is a fourth-generation farmer in Hampton, Iowa. The original 40 acres of her family farm were purchased by her great-grandfather in 1901. Hemmes took over operations in 1993. Today the farm includes 1,000 acres of corn, soybeans, pasture and hay. Hemmes and her husband, Tom Kazmerzak, have two children, Ethan and Ruth.

Conservation: Hemmes says her biggest aspiration is to pass down her farm to future generations with healthier soil. She uses practices such as filter strips, wetlands, no-till, buffer strips and pollinator habitat. “I’m pretty proud to be able to say that I have never plowed in my life,” she says.

Marketing Group: Hemmes collaborated with Iowa State University’s Kelvin Leibold to form a women’s grain marketing group. For the past eight years, a group of about 15 to 20 farm women meets monthly (outside of the growing season) to discuss marketing strategies and opportunities.

Leadership: Behind farming, Hemmes’ greatest passion is leadership. She has served on numerous boards and committees. Some of her current roles are with the United Soybean Board, Iowa Soybean Association, Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District, Franklin County Farm Service Agency and the Franklin County township.

April Hemmes serves as an Iowa Soybean Association director, as well as a member of the United Soybean Board. In these roles, she helps develop new and existing markets for U.S. soy, both domestically and abroad.

(Joseph L. Murphy-Iowa Soybean Association)

Watch a video about April Hemmes’ farming operation at bit.ly/April-Hemmes

Inspiring Women In Agriculture

Iowa farmers April Hemmes and Pam Johnson have been long-time advocates for female farmers. Here’s the advice they share for young women.

Know when you say yes to a business venture or leadership opportunity if you can give 100%. If not, let it go.
If you want to return to a family farm, you’ll likely need either off-farm income or to provide a skill or service the operation is paying someone else to do.
Network with other women in the industry and find a mentor.
Don’t fill a leadership role just because they want a woman involved.
Support and encourage your peers. Know there’s always room for more talented women.

April Hemmes doesn’t plan to add acres to her operation. So, she carefully weighs return on investment for machinery, technology and inputs.

(Pat Lichty, Top Producer)

I love watching people’s faces when I say, ‘I farm, and my husband works in town.’”

Meet Maryland’s Dietitian Turned Farmer

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 15:50:58 GMT

Jennie Schmidt brings a vital view to food production and consumption

When Jennie Schmidt scans her fields of grapes, corn, soybeans and green beans, her mind toggles between biology, crop conditions and consumer perception. A registered dietitian turned farmer, Schmidt still uses her nutrition knowledge and scientific background every day.

“Being a farmer is essentially being a dietitian to the crops, just in a different biological system than the one I was clinically trained,” Schmidt says. “I prefer to work with plants and soils because they are more compliant with their diet prescription than people.”

When Schmidt married her husband, Hans, she became part of the third generation to lead Schmidt Farms. The diversified operation located in Sudlersville, Md., is a partnership between the two Schmidts and Alan, Hans’ brother.

“I love the farm so much I purposefully tried to make myself indispensable by being able to run every piece of equipment,” Schmidt says.

DIVERSIFY, ADAPT, EVOLVE

Diversification and adaptation are overriding strategies at Schmidt Farms. Today the operation spans 2,000 acres near the eastern shore of Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay.

The farm was established by Hans’ and Alan’s grandfather, who emigrated to the U.S. from Germany, after home-steading in Canada, South America and the Dakotas. The first two generations of Schmidts raised hogs and cattle. When Hans and Alan took over, they analyzed each enterprise and looked for new opportunities.

“We got out of livestock production altogether, put up several center pivot irrigation systems and pursued vegeta-ble contracts as a means to diversify the farm and add high-value crops to those acres,” Schmidt says. “About that time, we also planted wine grapes to diversify and meet the growing demand of an expanding wine industry.”

When the Schmidts started their vineyard, Maryland had 12 wineries. Today, nearly 20 years later, the list is close to 100.

As the winery scene evolved, Schmidt launched a vineyard management company to provide custom services, such as planning, planting and harvesting.

“Everybody thinks they want a vineyard,” Schmidt says. “But they have no idea, especially if they are not farmers, they have no idea how much work they are. For us, the vineyard is a nice diversification. It cash flows, but it would be very difficult if that was our only crop.”

Today, Schmidt manages 22 acres of grapes, along with a crew of 12 employees. She negotiates deals with local win-eries, planting grapes to meet their variety wishes, while still generating consistent profits.

“The European varieties such as chardonnay, merlot and cabernet, have lower tonnage, around two or three,” she says. “Hybrids can yield six to eight tons, so generally it’s more profitable to grow hybrids.”

Patience and planning are essential in vineyards, as it takes seven to eight years before they hit peak grape produc-tion.

TEAM OF TWO

In 2015, Hans was appointed by the Maryland governor to be the assistant secretary of agriculture for resource con-servation. In turn, this created a full-time position for Schmidt on the farm.

“Having Hans, with his 30 years of farming experience, in a policy position related to Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay environmental regulations was critical,” Schmidt says. “Now I am the full-time operator working with my brother-in-law.”

Even though they had been in-laws for almost 30 years, the brother-in-law and sister-in-law had never worked exclu-sively together.

“Alan has put a lot of trust in me,” Schmidt says. “It’s not my farm; I’m technically just his employee. As the in-law who did not grow up on a farm, I had to prove myself as competent and capable. Now five years later, we operate as a seamless team. He doesn’t have to consult me on decisions, but he does. I am truly thankful to him for the opportuni-ty to farm.”

Schmidt closed down her vineyard management company to focus on the farm duties. She leads regulation compli-ance, financial management and operates equipment.

MAKE EVERY ACRE COUNT

Schmidt continues to find ways to weave in her previous experiences. One such concept: Continuous Quality Im-provement (CQI).

“When I did my food service rotation, we were focused on CQI, which is where you analyze systems and see where you are inefficient.”

Schmidt used this concept to streamline their crop rotations and not lose hours to transporting equipment to dif-ferent fields. Now, fields are grouped into larger tracts and planted to similar crops.

Beyond grapes, Schmidt Farms produces corn, tofu soybeans, high-oleic soybeans, green beans and occasionally can-ning tomatoes. They focus on value-added crops, which don’t take additional equipment or complex logistics. They aim to meet local demands from the poultry industry and urban consumers.

“We can’t always get more acres in this area,” Schmidt says. “It’s very competitive to rent and to buy and so we were looking at how to add value to these acres.”

SHOW AND TELL

As a farmer, nutritionist and mother of two, Schmidt serves in organizations where few other women are repre-sented. She was the first female board member of the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board and their first female president.

“She is known for her strong agricultural background and her willingness to share her knowledge with others,” says Sharon Redding, loan officer for MidAtlantic Farm Credit. “Jennie serves as a role model to other farmers.”

Schmidt employs a high level of emotional intelligence in her role as a farmer and advocate, adds Michael Twining, vice president of sales and marketing at Willard Agri-Service.

While Schmidt knows agriculture needs and supports more women leaders, she also hopes the novelty of it wanes in the future.

“I want to cut a path to make it easier for those who come next,” she says, “but I hope we can stop saying I’m the first woman to ____.”

Scan to travel to Sudlersville, Md., and virtually visit Schmidt Farms .

Snapshot of Schmidt Farms

Operation: Schmidt Farms in Sudlersville, Md., produces green beans, grapes, soybeans and corn. It is a partnership between Jennie and Hans Schmidt and Hans’ brother, Alan Schmidt. The op-eration was a 2010 Top Producer of the Year finalist.
Conservation: Schmidt Farms is a “Certified Agricultural Conservation Steward,” a designation for meeting high standards in conservation initiatives. They voluntarily submit their fields and rec-ords for inspections to prove excess nutrients and sediment do not leave their farm.
Community: Jennie Schmidt’s leadership roles span the U.S. Grains Council, National Corn Grow-ers Association and Global Farmer Network. She is a frequent speaker, bringing the perspective of a farmer and registered dietitian.

Networking Meets Education

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 01:50:01 GMT

Women make up more than 30% of America’s farm operators. To help this growing segment of farm CEOs, leaders, partners and entrepreneurs, Top Producer is proud to host the seventh annual Executive Women in Agriculture (EWA) conference.

Attendees will hear dynamic keynote presentations, learn during tactical breakout sessions and network with more than 200 female peers from 30 states.

This year’s conference kicks off at 2 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, Nov. 29 and runs through 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 1. Early bird registration is available at a rate of $280 through Nov. 15. The standard rate is $355. Students can register for $195.

The keynote and kickoff speaker for the event is Steph Davis, a world-renowned rock climber and wingsuit base jumper. Davis will share the lessons she’s learned in the air and how they are useful in the business world.

Speakers will address topics vital to row-crop, specialty-crop and livestock producers. Purdue University’s Nicole Widmar will discuss modern ag trends that are affecting your farm business. Polly Dobbs, owner of Dobbs Legal Group, will share practical tips and strategies to develop farm succession plans. Breakout sessions will cover topics such as consumer perceptions, leadership through change, how to combat conflict, farm finances and long-term care considerations.

Back by popular demand is a live taping of the “U.S. Farm Report” Marketing Roundtable hosted by Tyne Morgan. It will feature Pro Farmer’s Julianne Johnston, Stewart-Peterson’s Naomi Blohm and Citizens Grain’s Angie Setzer.

Why Female Farm CEOs Are On The Rise

The number of women CEOs at Fortune 500 companies reached a historic high this June. Farming operations will follow suit, predicts Sarah Beth Aubrey, founder of A.C.T., Aubrey Coaching & Training, a leadership training and executive coaching firm, and EWA speaker. Here’s why:

Level Of Education: Women have received as many or more college degrees in agriculture as men since about 2009, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics.

Quality Of Life: Rural areas offer reprieve. “Educated young women today seek a balance of career and family and don’t necessarily believe that an hour commute each day to work is worthwhile,” Aubrey says.

Fewer Blind Spots: For farmers who have traditionally handled the day-to-day operations, it can be challenging to look at the farm holistically, Aubrey notes. As a result, new and different viewpoints add value.

Advocacy: Female farmers tend to possess more strengths than men in areas such as advocacy, Aubrey says. “Today, that is already important,” she says. “Going forward, it’s mission critical. The ability to negotiate and advocate on behalf of the business will be vital for operations.”

Girlfriend Getaway: Farm Business Style

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 01:49:51 GMT

Looking for a way to spend some quality time with your girlfriends for a fun weekend and write it off on your taxes? Why not combine some farm business management education and the Magnificent Mile!

The 2017 seventh annual Executive Women in Agriculture conference is being held November 29 – Dec. 1 in Chicago, Ill.

Join more than 250 women from around the country at the historic Palmer House Hilton hotel for dynamic keynote speakers and educational breakout sessions, as well as unique networking opportunities for women farm owners and operators from around the country.

The Palmer House is a to-die-for location right downtown off of Michigan Avenue close to the Art Institute, Millennium Park and Chicago’s famed State Street shopping district. The hotel’s website describes the venue as one of “romance and undeniable charm” and they aren’t exaggerating. The hotel’s history is as fascinating as its ornate details.

Potter Palmer was a Chicago businessman known for the development of downtown Chicago’s iconic State Street. Bertha Hilton Honore, who was 23 years younger than Potter, was a wealthy socialite who had a drive to learn and succeed. A whirlwind romance and eventual engagement lead to one of the most extravagant wedding gifts of all time – Palmer House. Upon its grand opening in 1871, it was destined to be among the most luxurious hotels in the world. The Great Chicago Fire left its mark on the Palmer house just 13 short days after it opened. The building went under a huge renovation to fix fire damage and in 1873 it was open for guests.

Nov. 29 - Dec. 1
Palmer House Hilton
Chicago, IL

It’s the nation’s longest continually running hotel and when you get there you’ll see why. Need we even mention the shopping that’s within walking distance? The hotel is a block from Michigan Avenue.

So, gather your girls—pile in an SUV or book a flight—and head to Chicago for three days of learning from the industry’s brightest women.

Watch a virtual tour of the hotel below.

To learn more and to register to attend, visit execwomeninag.com.

Thanks to our sponsors Bayer, DOW, Growmark, Pioneer, Land O’Lakes and Redwing Software.

7 Must-See Speakers at the Executive Women in Agriculture 2016

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 01:36:47 GMT

The risks and opportunities have never been greater in American agriculture. Today’s markets require farmers to implement impeccable farm business practices and stay up to date on the changing managerial landscape. To prepare the nearly 1 million female farmers in the U.S. for the road ahead, Top Producer is proud to offer an event dedicated exclusively to women in agriculture.

The 2016 Executive Women in Agriculture conference will kick off with a welcome reception on Nov. 30 and run through early afternoon on Dec. 2 at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in downtown Chicago. It will offer women a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from industry experts and network with other like-minded women.

Now in its sixth year, this event continues to feature dynamic keynote speakers and educational breakout sessions, as well as networking opportunities.

Meet just a few of the business-focused and inspirational speakers on the agenda:

Today’s Opportunities for Women in Agriculture
by Alexis Taylor, Foreign Agricultural Services Deputy Under Secretary

Alexis Taylor was delegated her Foreign Agricultural Services (FFAS) duties by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in March 2016. FFAS is comprised of the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Risk Management Agency (RMA), and Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). FFAS helps to keep America’s farmers and ranchers in business as they face the uncertainties of weather and markets.

Before joining USDA, she served as the legislative advisor to Congressman Leonard Boswell of Iowa and Senator Max Baucus of Montana. During her time in Congress, Alexis negotiated key provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill, as well as the Senate version of the 2012 Farm Bill which was ultimately enacted into law as the 2014 Farm Bill.

Alexis served in the United States Army Reserves from 1998 to 2006. During her time in the Reserves she did one tour in Iraq with the 389th Combat Engineer Battalion. Alexis is a graduate of Iowa State University and grew up on her family farm in Iowa which has been in her family for over 150 years.

Being Exceptional
by Nicole Price, Lively Paradox

Nicole Price believes two things: 1) If leadership is anything, it’s personal 2) Everyone can be a great leader. Her session participants give glowing reviews and often request repeat appearances. She’ll make you laugh; she’ll make you think; she’ll make you better.

Turning Your Dreams Into Reality
by Vivian Howard, Chef, Entrepreneur and TV Star

Born in Deep Run, N.C., to tobacco and hog farming parents, Vivian Howard learned early on to appreciate hard work and the ebb and flow of eating with the seasons. After working for some of the best chefs in New York City, Vivian’s path lead her back home. Vivian and her husband opened Chef & the Farmer, a farm-to-fork restaurant, in the summer of 2006 serving local, seasonal and creative cuisine.

Over the past eight years, Chef Howard has developed strong relationships with farmers, allowing her to source over 70% of the restaurant’s foodstuffs from within 60 miles. Their trials and successes have been documented in the Peabody and Emmy award-winning docu-series, “A Chef’s Life,” which appears on PBS.

My Team is Driving Me Crazy!
by Rena Striegel, Transition Point Business Advisors

Rena Striegel is an internationally recognized business coach and consultant with more than 20 years of experience working directly with farmers, ag leaders, senior executives and entrepreneurs to identify and implement strategies that create growth and profitability. In her role with Transition Point Business advisors, she leads client projects in the areas of strategic planning, business succession and continuity planning and employee/leadership development. A majority of her current clients are large family owned farm operations located throughout the lower 48 states. Rena grew up on a dairy and hog farm in What Cheer, Iowa.

How to Manage Your Debt and Banking Relationships
by Ashley Arrington, AgriAuthority

Ashley Arrington grew up in the state of Georgia, surrounded by everything agriculture. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Finance and then obtained her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Augusta University. Ashley has worked in the banking industry for a decade and now concentrates exclusively on agricultural banking and analysis. She is the founder of AgriAuthority and works as an agricultural analyst and risk management consultant.

Changing Your FarmHer Lens
by Marji Guyler-Alaniz, FarmHer

Marji Guyler-Alaniz is a lifetime Iowan and lover of photography. Through FarmHer, she updates thee image of agriculture by showing the female side of farming, creating a community amongst women in agriculture and outreach to young women interested in agriculture. Her work has been featured in publications ranging from Smithsonian Magazine and most recently was featured on O the Oprah Magazine.

Navigating Landlord Negotiations
by Mykel Taylor, Kansas State University

Mykel Taylor is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Kansas State University. She grew up on a cattle ranch in Montana and has worked in extension positions at both Kansas State University and Washington State University. Some of her current research areas include measuring basis risk for commodity grains, understanding the implications of food safety and country of origin labeling on meat demand, and analyzing trends in Kansas agricultural land values, rental rates, and leasing arrangements.

See the full agenda .

Register here.

7 Must-See Speakers at the Executive Women in Agriculture Conference

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 01:19:20 GMT

The risks and opportunities have never been greater in American agriculture. Today’s markets require farmers to implement impeccable farm business practices and stay up to date on the changing managerial landscape. To prepare the nearly 1 million female farmers in the U.S. for the road ahead, Top Producer is proud to offer an event dedicated exclusively to women in agriculture.

This two-day seminar will be held Dec. 3 and 4 at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in downtown Chicago and will offer women a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from industry experts and network with other like-minded women.

Now in its fifth year, Top Producer’s Executive Women in Agriculture Conference continues to feature dynamic keynote speakers and educational breakout sessions, as well as an evening networking reception.

Here are just a few of the must-see speakers:

Beth Ford
Land O’Lakes Group Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Beth Ford is responsible for taking products and services delivered under the Land O’Lakes Dairy Foods, Purina Animal Nutrition and WinField brands from insight to customer delivery in the U.S. and globally. She’ll discuss the integral role women have in agriculture and what’s ahead for the industry.

Mary Shelman
Harvard Business School Agribusiness Program

From her early years working in her father’s farm equipment dealership to a board seat at a global agribusiness company to a decade of industry research, Mary Shelman’s career spans multiple aspects of the agribusiness sector. As an advisor to the Agribusiness Program at Harvard Business School, her focus on the future of global agribusiness makes her a thought leader in how food, feed and fiber intersect with energy, health, the environment and the world’s most pressing issues.

Laura Vanderkam
Author and time management expert

Laura Vanderkam is the author of several time management and productivity books, including “I Know How She Does It: How Successful Women Make the Most of Their Time,” “What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast” and “168 Hours.” She will provide key insight on how to balance farm, family and other responsibilities.

Rebecca Crownover
Farmer and author of “Texas Farm Girl”

A single parent to her 8-year-old daughter, farmer by profession and best-selling author, Rebecca Crownover uses her life experiences to inspire children through her writing. From tragedy to triumph, Rebecca leads by example in turning lemons into lemonade.

Polly Dobbs
Dobbs Legal Group Owner and Attorney,

Attorney Polly Dobbs focuses her practice in estate and wealth transfer planning along with business succession planning. Her passion lies with helping family-owned farms achieve a smooth succession. Having grown up on a farm, she understands the unique issues facing farm families and has extensive experience in farm succession planning.

Chris Soules
Soules Farms Co-Owner

Raised on a farm outside of Lamont, Iowa, Chris Soules co-owns the family’s third generation farming operation, Soules Farms, in partnership with parents. Together they farm 5,500 acres of corn and soybeans and turn 20,000 hogs annually through a wean-to-finish operation. With his strong passion for agriculture, he hopes to encourage youth to pursue a career in the industry. He is also a television star from The Bachelor, Dancing with the Stars and Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition.

Marji Guyler-Alaniz
FarmHer President and Founder

Marji Guyler-Alaniz is a lifetime Iowan and lover of photography. Through FarmHer, she updates thee image of agriculture by showing the female side of farming, creating a community amongst women in agriculture and outreach to young women interested in agriculture. Her work has been featured in publications ranging from Smithsonian Magazine and most recently was featured on O the Oprah Magazine.

See the full agenda .

Register here .

3 Great Tips from 3 Farm Women

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 00:56:46 GMT

With grain prices sinking and margins tightening now is the time to hone in on business tips and solid advice from successful producers.

Three such farmers shared personal stories and advice from their farming careers today during a panel discussion at Top Producer’s Executive Women in Agriculture conference. Here are three tips any farmer should hear.

Network outside of the ag industry.

Daphne Holterman farms near Watertown, Wis., with her husband and two young unrelated partners. They have 900 dairy cows and farm 1,500 acres of alfalfa and corn silage.

She says while she loves people in the ag industry and attends many farm meetings she makes a point to meet successful people in industries beyond agriculture. “Sometimes I learn more from talking to my plumber and learning about his small business,” she says.

Make marketing a priority and learn from others.

April Hemmes, of Rafter H. Farms, farms in Hampton, Iowa and was Monsanto America’s Farmers 2011 Farm Mom of the Year. She is the farmer in her family, not her husband.

As she got more involved in her operation, she knew her time was best spent focusing on marketing. “I had to teach my dad and grandpa that an hour spent going to a marketing meeting was more important than an hour in the tractor,” she says.

Hemmes is a member of an all-women marketing club that meets once a month, from November through March. “We talk options, grain contracts and learn the different ways you can sell a crop,” she says. “Learning what other people are doing is key.”

Understand you can’t do it all.

With her husband, Michelle Stewart runs a manure spreading business and farms near Sheridan, Ill. They are both first generation farmers. “My husband had a small manure spreading operation and was farming 100 acres when I met him and I had a business degree,” she says. “We combined our skills and have grown our operation. We are now farming 15,000 acres in Illinois and some in Mississippi.”

In addition to their businesses, the couple has three young daughters. So, achieving that coveted work-life balance is difficult. Stewart’s advice is to recognize that some tensions will always be there.

“You need to take time for yourself and explain to your kids why you need to do it,” she says. “Don’t make yourself feel guilty. Just like farming, there are seasons to play and seasons to work.”

For More Information
See full coverage of Top Producer’s 2013 Executive Women in Agriculture event. Follow the event on Twitter: #EWA13 .

Executive Women Plan for Succession

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 07:29:23 GMT

Top women growers learn about the importance of succession planning. On Friday at Top Producer’s Executive Women in Agriculture conference in Chicago, Ill., more than 150 women listened and learned and in a workshop by Josh Sylvester of Legacy By Design, about the importance of the succession planning and how the Farm Journal Legacy Project can help them meet their transition goals.

The women learned about how to get started, where to seek help and the impact it can have on their family farms. When asked if they had ever held a family meeting, many laughed and most expressed that they had not. Of those who had one woman said that it was great and the another said it was awful, “a disaster,” she says, later conceding the conversation and “meeting” occurred at a Christmas family gathering. Sylvester explained the importance of the first family meeting being on neutral ground, off the farm if possible, and very structured even including an agenda if possible. He encouraged attendees to visit www.farmjournallegacyproject.com for tools and tips to help make the process sooner.

Sylvester closed the workshop answering questions and encouraging the farmers to become committed to developing a succession plan. “Farm Journal is committed to helping you succeed, Pioneer has steped up and made a large commitment to supporting this project and we are committed to helping you develop a plan, but you have to be committed,” he says.

For additional tools check out the succession planning tools menu and to seek advice from our experts, Ask Kevin !

For More Information
The Executive Women in Agriculture event is being held Dec. 1-2. You can follow news and coverage from the event by visiting Top Producer’s Executive Women in Agriculture site . You can also follow it on Twitter under the hash tag #ewa11 .

Social Media at Executive Women in Agriculture Conference

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 07:29:11 GMT

The Executive Women in Agriculture (EWA) conference kicks off Dec. 1 in Chicago. Women from across the country will come together for further education and networking. Not only will women attending the conference have the opportunity to learn more about social media, but if you’re not in attendance nd you want to catch a glimpse of it, you can stay up to date via Twitter and Facebook.

There will be a Twitter feed on the EWA website and you can engage in the discussion using Twitter. If you’re attending the Seminar and you want to help us keep everyone up to date, use the hash tag #EWA11 at the end of your Tweets. This will help to aggregate the conversation happening online.

You can catch what’s going on via Facebook on the Top Producer Facebook page . Join in the conversation, post your photos and follow along for the latest conference information.

Female Farmers Highlighted in Two Online Tributes

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 19:02:22 GMT

“Respect given is respect earned.”

That was the sentiment expressed by Belinda Bowman, a Canadian grain originator, after reading a blog post from Missouri farmer Kate Lambert.

Lambert’s blog, “To the woman riding in my husband’s combine,” has received some viral notoriety online this week. In it, she addresses criticism from someone who is worried about a “young, presumably attractive female” making sales calls on the farm.

“Women poured out of the woodwork to attack the sales rep, calling her unprofessional, unthoughtful, disrespectful and worse,” Lambert writes . “They attacked her clothes, suggested she not wear makeup when doing farm visits, even suggested the wife should call the company and complain.”

Lambert goes on to thank young women in agribusiness “for being audacious enough to get into the cab of a combine.” She says it’s a reminder that she needs to embrace, encourage and support other women in the agriculture industry.

People took note, adding nearly 200 comments to her original blog post and massively re-shared her story on Facebook and Twitter.

Meantime, Tiffany Martinnka, a territory for Monsanto in Saskatchewan, made her own social media splash in September on Twitter, after she posted this thought:

I hear ladies make better combine operators! Share your pic using #womenofharvest15 #growingconfidence pic.twitter.com/oW8lXuvRCH
— Tiffany Martinka (@TiffanyMartinka) September 17, 2015

Soon after, dozens of other female farmer selfies poured in from all across the world. Buzzfeed even got in on the action , posting a list of its personal favorites.

“I think on their individual farm, the women are recognized and greatly appreciated because the business knows the importance of their contribution in order to be successful,” Martinka told BuzzFeed Canada. “However, as an agriculture industry, I think we need to do a better job to tailor some of our events, appreciation nights, and other marketing campaigns to better accommodate and include women of the farm.”

Farm Journal Media recognizes that many women are on or returning to the farm to manage human resources, financial reporting, record keeping, as well as production and technology areas on working farms.

This trend has fueled the Executive Women in Agriculture (EWA) conference, now in its fifth year. EWA is a comprehensive farm business conference for women leaders, managers and executives. The Dec. 3-4 event in downtown Chicago features presentations and breakout sessions on topics including commodity marketing, succession planning, time management and consumer trends.

Visit www.execwomeninag.com to learn more and register.